What are the origins of tea?
We hear legends of Shen Nong’s cauldron, and Damo’s eyelids.
1700+ Year Old Tea Tree in Yunnan
We think of the Chou, the Chin, or the Han dynasties.
But reality is that no one really knows when or if early man, hunter and gatherer, began to use camellia sinensis as a form of food or beverage. It stands to reason though that early man did.
Some 248 million years ago during the Paleosoic Period there was a time of formation of many plant species. During that period it is thought that Yunnan, Guizhou, and the Sichuan basin were a mountain plateauwith a warm wet climate.
The evidence of Ancient Tea Trees in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi indicate the development of the Camellia Sinesis species for many thousands of years.
Modern Man
In the history of tea then, modern man is relatively new on the scene.
Sheng Nong
Significant developments in man’s continuing discovery of tea allow us to better understand and appreciate teas impact on man, and man’s recognition of the value of tea.
